Transcript Highlights:

• President, today's color guard is composed of Senate pages Una Angel, a student at Kamiak High School
• from Everett, and Owen Bayruther, a student at Lewis and Clark High School from Spokane.
• The student at Kamiak High School from Everett, and Owen Bayruther, a student at Lewis and Clark High
• School from Spokane, will now present the colors.
• And if the program is in a public school, Mr.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2340 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, and approval of the previous day’s journal. It received a House message that the House had passed second engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5010, and then took up Senate Resolution 8700 honoring Yolanda Cortinas Trout Manuel for her community service, business leadership, and public service. Senator Fortunato sponsored the resolution and spoke warmly in support, and the Senate adopted it by voice vote and recognized the guest in the gallery. The chamber then confirmed Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9142, Maria Seguyenza to the Western Washington University Board of Trustees, after supportive remarks from Senators Bateman and Wilson-Clair. The Senate also passed Substitute House Bill 2248, described as a technical cleanup bill for Secretary of State corporate filings, and House Bill 2309, which removes postgraduate degree requirements for certain state jobs to broaden applicant pools. House Bill 2348 passed as a Department of Natural Resources efficiency measure allowing smaller land sales to be posted online and clarifying fair-market-value requirements. The Senate deferred Second Substitute House Bill 1128 at first, then later adopted a striking amendment and passed the bill as amended. The bill creates a child care workforce standards board to study workforce conditions and make recommendations; several proposed amendments by Senator King to add child-safety training language, add an expiration date, and narrow the board’s scope were rejected. Supporters said the board would professionalize child care work and improve wages and standards, while opponents argued it would add government and costs without solving affordability. The Senate also passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2523 on the Community Reinvestment Program, with supporters emphasizing accountability, periodic review, and an independent study, and passed Substitute House Bill 2428 to prevent unintentional lapses in life insurance policies by allowing third-party notices. Finally, the Senate passed House Bill 2340, expanding the CARES substance use disorder recovery program to nursing assistants, and Engrossed House Bill 2317, which streamlines licensing for Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program sites in certain educational settings. Most bills passed by wide margins, though Second Substitute House Bill 1128 passed with a narrower 28-19 vote. The Senate then recessed for lunch and caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• parent involved in a specialty or therapeutic court, and families who have a parent who is a high school
• student or 21 or younger and working toward a high school equivalency.
• choice... ...that are in our graduate programs so that it isn't a choice between going to graduate school
• . ...might raise their hand and make a decision to go to graduate school.
• And on deck, we'll have Demas Nestorang School, please. Whenever you're ready, please go ahead.

Bills: HB1873 , HB2600 , SB5957

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: child care, Working Connections Child Care, WCCC, graduate students, professional students, higher education, full-time student, affordable child care, subsidized child care, child care subsidy, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, income eligibility, state median income, copayment, copay waiver, family support, workforce participation, working families, special needs child care

Transcript Highlights:

• Michaela is a dedicated member of the school wrestling team and has remained active in dance and athletics
• She is 18 years old and a senior at Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho.
• He was born in Tularosa, and went to high school at Manzano High School.
• He's currently a junior at New Mexico State and he's studying I went to high school in Manzano High School
• parents can go to work, which actually helps our economy in a very big way, to train and to go to school

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum on Valentine’s Day and spent much of the opening portion on ceremonial remarks, guest introductions, and announcements tied to Early Childhood Day, the New Mexico State Bar’s anniversary, and other Valentine’s-themed recognitions. Senators also approved several unanimous-consent requests excusing members from the chamber. The body then received House messages announcing passage of House Joint Resolution 6, House Bill 166, House Bill 295 as amended, House Joint Memorials 2 and 3, and House Joint Resolution 5 as amended. Committee reports were adopted on several measures, including Senate Memorial 27, Senate Memorial 21, House bills 10, 12, 34, and 63, Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 261, Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 151, and Senate Memorials 3 and 16, which were reported as duly enrolled and signed in open session. The Senate also introduced and referred House Bill 166 to Judiciary, House Bill 295 to Finance, House Joint Resolution 6 and House Joint Memorials 2 and 3 to Rules. The main floor action was final passage of Senate Bill 306, which updates New Mexico’s private post-secondary authorization framework to align with federal accreditation terminology and standards; it passed 42-0 after brief questions about tribal colleges and online institutions. The Senate then debated Senate Conservation Committee substitute for Senate Bill 235, the Microgrid Oversight Act, which would require large microgrids over 20 megawatts to meet renewable-energy standards, file annual energy and water reports with the PRC, and address utility cost-shifting concerns. Supporters said it would add oversight and protect air, water, and consumers, while opponents argued it would create uncertainty, discourage major economic development, and undercut a recent policy change allowing microgrids. The debate was ongoing in the excerpt, with no final vote shown for SB 235.

Transcript Highlights:

• demand, you know, something else like wildfires or dilapidated facilities in the university or in the schools
• demand, you know, something else like wildfires or dilapidated facilities in the university or in the schools
• demand, you know, something else like wildfires or dilapidated facilities in the university or in the schools
• </c><00:16:55.040><c> or</c> in the university or in the schools or in the university or in the schools
• demand, you know, something else like wildfires or dilapidated facilities in the university or in the schools

Bills: SB2278 , SB2908 , SB2987

Committee: House Tourism

Summary: The House Committees on Tourism and Economic Development and Technology heard several measures on February 12, 2026. HB 1950 would dedicate 15% of transit accommodations tax revenue to a new state-led marketing and branding special fund and require an annual tourism management plan. HTA and DBEDT supported the bill as providing predictable funding for marketing and tourism management, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the special fund structure as limiting legislative flexibility. Members discussed the size of the allocation and whether a tourism emergency fund would still be needed; the bill later advanced with amendments that removed some provisions and blanked out the 15% figure for further discussion, and it passed with amendments. HB 2268 would add film production marketing and promotion to HTA’s powers. The governor’s office, HTA, the Hawaii Film Alliance, and several industry groups supported the measure, arguing that film and TV exposure drives tourism and generates significant spending and tax revenue, while one individual testified in opposition. In questions, HTA said it would use existing staff and did not have a separate cost estimate. The committee amended the bill to specify that film productions are primarily filmed in Hawaii and deferred the date to continue discussion; it then passed with amendments. The committee also heard HB 2156, which would raise filing thresholds for general excise tax and transit accommodations tax filers. The Department of Taxation said the change could increase administrative burden if more filers shift from mandatory electronic filing to paper filing, while the Tax Foundation noted the filing threshold issue is separate from e-filing requirements. The bill was moved forward with a deferred date. HB 1946, concerning time-share registration renewals and amendments, drew support from ARDA and other industry testimony, with no opposition noted; DCCA was said to be in talks with the industry. It was also advanced with technical amendments and a deferred date.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're often hired by school districts to do the construction.
• And since the member from Franklin County is here, I'll tell a quick little story from my high school
• In terms of... ...school districts to do the construction.
• And since the member from Franklin County is here, I'll tell a quick little story from my high school
• I believe in zoning and setbacks from churches, places of worship, schools, and especially residences

Summary: The House Utilities Committee resumed hearing on House Bills 2402 and 2816, which address utility-scale solar development. The chair asked witnesses to keep comments to informational purposes, and testimony focused on setbacks, taxation, land conversion caps, county authority, decommissioning, and impacts on neighboring landowners and rural communities. Several witnesses said they supported solar in limited settings such as rooftops or industrial sites, but opposed or wanted changes to the bills’ treatment of agricultural land, especially the proposed 4% cap on cropland conversion and the 500-foot setback from homes. Testimony from landowners and farm groups emphasized concerns about property rights, viewshed impacts, fire risk, drainage and floodplain issues, and the loss of agricultural tax base and local economic activity. They argued the proposed $2,500 per megawatt tax was too low and suggested higher rates, with some recommending $6,000 per megawatt or more, along with decommissioning requirements and stronger county-level protections. A Renew Missouri representative supported much of the bill but preferred a smaller setback and raised constitutional concerns about changing solar land from agricultural to commercial assessment. Other witnesses, including a county commissioner, described local regulations already in place in some counties and asked for clearer statewide standards. Industry and utility representatives said the legislation was generally workable but needed further discussion on setbacks and property tax treatment. Clean Grid Alliance and related witnesses argued that tax comparisons with other states should account for total tax burden, not just nameplate taxes, and said higher taxes would raise electricity costs for consumers. Ameren Missouri said it was acceptable with most provisions, but cautioned against overly aggressive real-property assessments and noted its current and planned solar buildout. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee adjourned after taking testimony on both bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a full-service kayak school, ropes course, and high adventure park, as well as a river rescue
• I am an agriculture education teacher at American Falls High School.
• In many counties, timber revenue funds schools and emergency services, so even modest increases can be
• When families have a steady income, schools strengthen, and communities stabilize.
• in Idaho. our schools and the people here in Idaho, we thank you for your ability to come and visit

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• The town of Quincy used its share to build a new school, hospital, and fire station without raising taxes
• The town of Quincy used its share to build a new school, hospital, and fire station without raising taxes
• where data centers generate enormous tax surpluses, allowing local governments to invest more in school
• They make decent neighbors because they don’t go to school and they’re not on the roads during rush hour
• And again, this is not trip generation of traffic or rush hour or school kids or library or other municipal

Bills: S0408 , S0986 , S0678 , S0800 , S1050 , S0484 , S1118

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Transcript Highlights:

• And although schools are exempted, it is not providing recourse or relief to local governments who still
• need to contrive a way to balance budgets and keep schools open.
• I pay property taxes to live in a community that has resources, safety resources, schools, libraries,
• About 40 percent goes toward schools carved out, and 40 to 50 percent is carved out for police and fire
• And the 10 percent for savings go for services like free tutoring for kids after school and the library

Transcript Highlights:

• So do cities and counties and school boards, and they're already trying to do that. how the frozen grants
• So do cities and counties and school<00:04:53.040><c> boards</c><00:04:53.680><c> and</c><00:04:53.919
• trying school boards and they're already trying to<00:04:54.960><c> do</c><00:04:55.199><c> that.
• some stability moving forward and work in partnership with, you know, the cities, the counties, the school
• our decisions moving forward without having those conversations with counties, with cities, with school

Transcript Highlights:

• The furthest you could go, you said, was 0.1% reduction, non-public school aid being held harmless.
• you said, was 0.1% reduction, could go, you said, was 0.1% reduction, non-public<00:05:14.320><c> school
• </c><00:05:14.560><c> aid</c><00:05:14.880><c> being</c><00:05:15.199><c> held</c> non-public school
• There were never the votes to pass any type of cuts to nonpublic school aid.
• saying about private school cuts, was it saying about private school cuts, was it in<00:12:52.959><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Not only healthcare, but also supports for seniors and people with disabilities, schools, transportation
• ,</c><00:08:14.400><c> transportation,</c> disabilities, schools, transportation, disabilities, schools
• And as we've said, are you going to cut money for our schools?
• And as we've said, are you going to cut money for our schools?
• And as we've said, are you going to cut money for our schools?

Transcript Highlights:

• By the way, I coach high school football for 28 years in these kids are fields of what they're smoking
• They didn't miss a day of school as a child.
• Department of Education, download it all their school information into our system.
• Last year you funded a school security assessment Grant program, 5 million dollars of that 5 million
• We've done everything we can to reach out to our school partners, Department of Education, to get them

Transcript Highlights:

• small rural schools.
• small rural schools.
• small rural schools.
• small rural schools.
• At the high school level, just be high school graduates.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:36.480><c> are</c><00:15:36.800><c> are</c> school thank you yes the schools are are school
• thank you yes the schools are are primarily<00:15:37.560><c> The</c><00:15:37.720><c> Gatekeepers</c
• uh or in any other situation school uh or in any other situation where<00:26:41.360><c> the</c><00:26
• </c> administrators from towns and school administrators from towns and school districts<03:43:03.760
• </c><03:44:09.399><c> boards</c> municipal Association the school boards municipal Association the school

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 233, which would impose transparency and reporting requirements on the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. The prime sponsor, Representative Comto, said the bill and a proposed amendment were intended to increase public access by requiring a physical meeting location, making meetings available online, and publishing a complete list of vaccines and pharmaceutical products purchased. She argued the association should be more transparent because it is involved in vaccine purchasing and public trust is important, especially given controversy around vaccines. Committee members questioned the sponsor about the association’s legal status, who sets vaccine requirements, whether other private entities would be covered, and whether the proposal should instead apply more broadly to all meetings or include recordings. The sponsor said the association was created by the legislature, that childhood vaccine requirements come from DHHS and CDC-related processes, and that she would be open to broader recording requirements. Some members raised concerns about misinformation and whether requiring answers to public questions could be problematic in a contentious policy area. Patrick Miller, executive director of the Vaccine Association, and attorney Mark McHugh testified in opposition. They described the association as a not-for-profit voluntary corporation created by statute in 2002 to serve as a funding mechanism for the state’s universal childhood vaccine purchase program, with no policymaking role and no public funding. They said the association already posts notices, agendas, minutes, and allows public webinar access and comments, while also providing annual audits and reports and other statutory reporting. They argued HB 233 would impose unnecessary administrative costs on a private entity, interfere with its limited charitable purpose, and ultimately increase costs borne by insurers, employers, and consumers. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• young men in high school had a fight<00:28:22.799><c> uh</c><00:28:22.880><c> and</c><00:28:23.039><
• one day and the young man that school one day and the young man that initiated<00:28:29.200><c> the<
• building that time or in the high school building or<00:28:50.480><c> something.
• She earned 52 hours of credit while in high school. She's now an honor student at UAB.
• She's now an honor while in high school.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• We also oppose the proposed cuts to public and active transit, including safe routes to school.
• Walkable and bikable communities school.
• </c> supporting the safe routes to school supporting the safe routes to school program<00:41:48.560><
• There are two schools in the entire country that I can choose to go to for circus.
• </c><00:48:43.200><c> called</c> opportunity to go to a school called opportunity to go to a school called

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 666 converts two temporary farm-to-school extension agent positions within the University
• I am part of the Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute and representing the Hawaiʻi Farm to School Network.
• act 75 the farm to school program and currently<00:54:59.160><c> right</c><00:54:59.319><c> now</c><
• So these are focused on the Farm to School—one for... and one for...
• Um, these are Farm to School. They are basically working with K through 12.

Summary: The joint Committee on Higher Education and Agriculture heard Senate Bill 1158, which would authorize general obligation bonds and appropriations for a controlled environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the Magoon Research and Teaching Site in Manoa. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the University of Hawaiʻi, Department of Agriculture, Farm Bureau, Maui County, MetroGrow Hawaiʻi, and other agricultural groups, who said the project would strengthen food resilience, support year-round production, create clean jobs, and provide a demonstration site for urban vertical farming. University representatives said the project would include demolition of an existing condemned building, a research and lab component, and a multistory vertical farm, with an estimated cost of $6 million and a projected two-year build time. Members questioned whether Manoa was the best location, whether the project fit the university’s broader strategy, and whether the request would displace other priorities. The University said the site is tied to SEAR activities, close to students and faculty, and intended to support hands-on training and commercial-scale production. In response to concerns about soil testing and stakeholder needs, the University said it would restart the soil testing lab using internal funds, though not as part of this bill, and would request additional staff for efficiency. The committee then recessed and later reconvened in decision-making, where the chairs recommended and the committee adopted amendments to SB 1158, including a name correction and deferral to July 31, 2050, and the bill passed with amendments. The committee then took up Senate Bill 663, relating to the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and SEAR research and experiment stations. The University testified that the stations are important for locally relevant agricultural research but are short staffed, with 34 positions down since 2005, and that the bill requests eight new positions, including agricultural technicians and four county community coordinator positions, to improve station operations, community engagement, and workforce development. The Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying the positions are needed to revamp extension services and that Manoa is an appropriate urban location for the vertical farming component. Members questioned why vacant or existing positions could not be used instead of new ones, and the University explained that some listed vacancies reflected old federally funded positions or inaccurate counts, promised a written update, and said it was working to fill current openings. No final vote on SB 663 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this history center also has area schools.
• Regional schools have their students come and partake of the museum.
• But this history center also has area schools.
• c> their</c> schools, regional schools have their schools, regional schools have their students<00:20
• </c><00:37:06.000><c> making</c> public and private schools making public and private schools making

Bills: HF3700 , HF3982 , HF3927 , HF3933 , HF3949 , HF4238 , HF4275 , HF4476 , HF4504

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Walk through my high school or talk to students from almost any high school in California, and you'll
• Walk through my high school or talk to students from almost any high school in California, and you'll
• Parents and schools try their best, but they can't fight this alone.
• Jonathan Clay, on behalf of the USC Keck School of Medicine, echoed CHA's comments.
• We also think this is a way for schools to address chronic school absenteeism, which we know that schools

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• founder of How-To ADU, and Andrew Lye, a member of the Board of Trustees at Jefferson Union High School
• am a proud resident of Pacifica and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Jefferson Union High School
• am a proud resident of Pacifica and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Jefferson Union High School
• It does have an impact on infrastructure, you know, on police, on fire, on the school districts, and
• How many of those permits per household are we adding to that community, to that school district, to

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing heard two substantive housing bills and two consent items. SB 1116 by Senator Caballero would update the Starter Home Revitalization Act (SB 684) by clarifying development standards for small infill housing, reinforcing ministerial approval and timelines, improving state oversight and reporting, updating subdivision rules, and addressing private restrictions such as HOA or deed provisions that can block housing. The author and supporters, including California YIMBY and a small developer, said the bill responds to implementation problems and would help produce more starter homes; there was no opposition testimony. Members generally supported the measure but noted concerns about local implementation and the broader impact-fee/infrastructure context. SB 1117 by Senator Cervantes would clarify ADU fee law so local governments assess impact fees only on the portion of an ADU above 750 square feet, rather than on the full unit, while keeping the existing 750-square-foot exemption intact. Supporters argued the current fee structure discourages larger ADUs and creates a sharp production drop above 750 square feet; a homeowner witness said fees on an 800-square-foot ADU would have exceeded construction costs. Local government and fire-related organizations opposed or opposed unless amended, arguing impact fees fund essential infrastructure and services and should remain tied to nexus studies. Several senators said the bill was narrowly tailored but emphasized the need to address broader infrastructure financing. The committee also took up consent items SB 1267 by Senator Allen and SB 1426, the committee omnibus bill. After the committee obtained a quorum and later reconvened, it approved the consent calendar 10-0, SB 1117 10-0, and SB 1116 8-0. All measures were ordered out to the Senate Local Government Committee, and the hearing was adjourned.